So I ordered a set of black exterior ACF cups that arrived today and every single cup had hairline scratches on them like a car looks when you key it. I wrote the merchant from whom I bought them (Orphan Espresso) and they replied that pretty much every ACF cup they have received recently has been like that since ACF decided to go with less protective packaging. I presume the cups must've been rubbing against each other in transit from Italy (in contrast to how carefully they were packaged from Orphan).

Some questions. First, is this anyone else's experience recently? Second, anyone know a source for these tulip shaped cups that are thick walled like ACF/NP...but don't have to be ACF/NP.

Hey Aaron, I don't have any recent experience with ACF, but I can offer up some alternatives. The first is Terra Keramik cups. While they're more expensive than the others, I'd say they're worth it for the quality and care put into them. You'll never get a bad cup in a set. The cups are even thicker than ACF, at about 20% more weight. They also are dipped in platinum, so they've got the bling effect going for them. Check them out at http://www.artazza.com/cappuccino.php

We purchased the ACF black from Great Infusions. There was no such scratches and the only issue we had was a couple of broken plates (they took care of it). We paid $275 for a set of 36 ACF black 6 oz cappuccino cup and saucer. They have a lot of options for size and color choices, although if you need a bunch you may need to wait.